Dataset Information

Perceived Cognitive Deficits in a Sample of Persons Living With Multiple Sclerosis.

ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:The aims of this study were to describe the nature and diversity of perceived cognitive deficits using the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ), to assess the reliability of the PDQ, and to explore self-reported predictors of PDQ scores in a large community-based sample of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Persons with MS enrolled in a randomized controlled trial provided demographic data and completed the PDQ along with measures of cognitive and memory strategies, cognitive abilities, self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms and neuropsychological tests. RESULTS:Most of the 183 participants were non-Hispanic white women, approximately 49 years old, and diagnosed with MS 12.5 years prior. The most frequent cognitive complaints regarded trouble remembering telephone numbers, mind drifting, and forgetting why one came into a room. The PDQ scores were significantly related to self-rated cognitive abilities, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and use of cognitive strategies, but not to scores on neuropsychological performance tests. When controlling for other variables, self-rated cognitive abilities was the strongest, significant predictor of perceived cognitive deficits. CONCLUSION:Persons with MS most frequently experience deficits related to short-term memory and attention. The PDQ total is a reliable measure of perceived cognitive deficits in persons with MS, is feasible for use by nurses in clinical settings-can be administered in approximately 5 minutes, and is easily scored.

SUBMITTER: Henneghan A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5657431 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Perceived Cognitive Deficits in a Sample of Persons Living With Multiple Sclerosis.

Henneghan Ashley A Stuifbergen Alexa A Becker Heather H Kullberg Vicki V Gloris Nicole N

The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses 20171001 5

<h4>Purpose</h4>The aims of this study were to describe the nature and diversity of perceived cognitive deficits using the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ), to assess the reliability of the PDQ, and to explore self-reported predictors of PDQ scores in a large community-based sample of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Persons with MS enrolled in a randomized controlled trial provided demographic data and completed the PDQ along with measures of cognitive an ...[more]

PMID: 28885466

Similar Datasets

Project description:Background: Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Interpretation of neuropsychological tests requires the use of normative data. Traditionally, normative data have been reported for discrete categories such as age. More recently continuous norms have been developed using multivariable regression equations that account for multiple demographic factors. Regression-based norms have been developed for use in the Canadian population for tests included in the MACFIMS and BICAMS test batteries. Establishing the generalizability of these norms is essential for application in clinical and research settings. Objectives: We aimed to (i) test the performance of previously published Canadian regression-based norms in an independently collected sample of Canadian healthy controls; (ii) compare the ability of Canadian and non-Canadian regression-based norms to discriminate between healthy controls and persons with MS; and (iii) develop regression-based norms for several cognitive tests drawn from batteries commonly used in MS that incorporated race/ethnicity in addition to age, education, and sex. Methods: We included 93 adults with MS and 96 healthy adults in this study, with a replication sample of 104 (MS) and 39 (healthy adults). Participants reported their sociodemographic characteristics, and each was administered the oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II), and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). From the healthy control data, we developed regression-based norms incorporating race, age, education and sex. We then applied existing discrete norms and regression-based norms for the cognitive tests to the healthy controls, and generated z-scores which were compared using Spearman rank and concordance coefficients. We also used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to compare the ability of each set of norms to discriminate between participants with and without MS. Within the MS samples we compared the ability of each set of norms to discriminate between differing levels of disability and employment status using relative efficiency. Results: When we applied the published regression norms to our healthy sample, impairment classification rates often differed substantially from expectations (7%), even when the norms were derived from a Canadian (Ontario) population. Most, but not all of the Spearman correlations between z-scores based on different existing published norms for the same cognitive test exceeded 0.90. However, concordance coefficients were often lower. All of the norms for the SDMT reliably discriminated between the MS and healthy control groups. In contrast, none of the norms for the CVLT-II or BVMT-R discriminated between the MS and healthy control groups. Within the MS population, the norms varied in their ability to discriminate between disability levels or employment status; locally developed norms for the SDMT and CVLT-II had the highest relative efficiency. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the value of local norms when interpreting the results of cognitive tests and demonstrate the need to consider and assess the performance of regression-based norms developed in other populations when applying them to local populations, even when they are from the same country. Our findings also strongly suggest that the development of regression-based norms should involve larger, more diverse samples to ensure broad generalizability.

Project description:Background and objectivesThalamic atrophy (TA) represents a biomarker of neurodegeneration and associated dysfunction/decline in physical and cognitive functioning among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Aerobic fitness, as an end point of exercise training, represents a promising target for restoring function in MS, but it is unknown if such effects differ by TA. This cross-sectional study examined whether aerobic fitness was differentially associated with cognitive processing speed and walking endurance in persons with MS who present with and without TA.Methods44 fully ambulatory persons with MS completed a graded exercise test for measuring aerobic fitness (VO2peak) and underwent 3T MRI for measuring TA, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and the 6-min walk (6MW). We performed Spearman correlations (rs) among VO2peak, SDMT, and 6MW scores overall, and in persons with and without TA. We applied Fisher's z-test for comparing correlations based on TA status.ResultsWhen controlling for age, EDSS score, and global MRI measures of atrophy, VO2peak was strongly associated with SDMT scores (prs = 0.74, p < 0.01) and 6MW performance (prs = 0.77, p < 0.01) in persons with TA, whereas VO2peak was not associated with SDMT scores (prs = - 0.01, p = 0.99) or 6MW performance (prs = 0.25, p = 0.38) in those without TA. The correlations between VO2peak and SDMT (z = 2.86, p < 0.01) and VO2peak and 6MW (z = 2.33, p = 0.02) were significantly stronger in the TA group.DiscussionThis study provides initial evidence of strong, selective associations among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with TA as a biomarker for MS-related neurodegeneration. Such data support TA as a moderator of the association among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with MS. Future research should carefully consider the role of TA when designing trials of aerobic exercise, cognition, and mobility in MS.

Project description:Background and Objectives: The Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Test (BRB-NT) does not explore the executive functions. We combined BRB-NT and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Sorting Test (D-KEFS ST) to obtain a more comprehensive evaluation of cognitive impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods: 137 Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) patients underwent a detailed neuropsychological assessment including BRB-NT, D-KEFS ST and self-administrated questionnaires, namely the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II). Results: Fifty-four patients (39.4%) had normal scores in each item of both batteries (cognitive normal), while 64 patients (46.7%) failed in at least one test of BRB-NT but not of D-KEFS ST (BRB-NT impaired) and 18 (13.1%) failed in at least one test of both batteries (BRB-NT+D-KEFS ST impaired). Only one patient (0.7%) failed in D-KEFS ST, but not in BRB-NT and was excluded from further analysis. BRB-NT+D-KEFS ST impaired patients had a significant higher mean disease duration and median EDSS score (15.5 ± 13.6 years and 3.5, respectively) compared to those with only BRB-NT impaired (7.9 ± 9.2, p < 0.01 and 2.5, p < 0.05) and with cognitive normal patients (6.7 ± 9.4, p < 0.005 and 2.0, p < 0.01). SDMT was more frequently impaired in BRB-NT+D-KEFS ST impaired patients (77.8%) compared to only BRB-NT impaired ones (20.0%, p < 0.001). The failure in D-KEFS ST was associated with the number of failed BRB-NT items (OR 1.46, IC95% 1.07-1.99, p < 0.05) and with pathological SDMT z-value (OR 10.56, IC95% 2.50-44.66, p < 0.005). Compared to BRB-NT impaired patients and the cognitive normal ones, BRB-NT+D-KEFS ST impaired patients had significant higher MSNQ (p < 0.01) and BDI-II (p < 0.05) values. Conclusion: D-KEFS ST did not increase the number of cognitively impaired MS patients identified by BRB-NT, but provided a more comprehensive evaluation of cognitive decline. D-KEFS ST identified a subgroup of patients with increased self-perception of cognitive decline, depression and higher physical disability.

Dataset Information

Perceived Cognitive Deficits in a Sample of Persons Living With Multiple Sclerosis.

Publications

Perceived Cognitive Deficits in a Sample of Persons Living With Multiple Sclerosis.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets